Guilty conscience was scrambling his mind again, hugging the inconsequential, and spewing out words like one of the new-fangled crank-driven machine guns.
‘It takes time and patience but there is little actual complexity. Procuring sufficient slow-fuse was the only difficult thing, but as for combustibles, no problem! You would not be aware, father, but the armoury at Versailles was as free with its favours as a…’
Fortunately, ‘Father’ interrupted there.
‘I do not need details of such devilry,’ he said, with a firmness that would have stopped a train. ‘They are no use to me—nor to you, man. Consider what you’re here for! And why.’
‘Sorry,’ said Julius—which covered all aspects.
The priest bit his tongue. After so many enormities paraded before him what signified this further bit of moral deadness? It could be included in the total without specific comment.
‘What then?’ he prompted, in vain hope the torrent of horrors had abated.
‘Well,’ said Julius, ‘‘midst the screaming confusion, the fires, the walking wounded and so on, we were able to simply stroll out. Quite remarkable! We feigned injury or shock or an air of command as the situation dictated, and the perimeter troops left us through. A mile or so on brought us to an inn where we hailed a cab.’
The audacity of it all, the sweet living from minute to minute, was a pleasant recollection. Julius smiled but fortunately the priest did not see.
‘Which was afterwards, of course,’ he added, once the sunlit inner image dimmed. ‘After Lady Lovelace had taken the child, I mean. Though I’m pretty sure I’ve already mentioned that. Don’t you remember? You were rather outraged, actually. Also, I said about the book laying beside the breeding program equipment. Technically speaking, I suppose stealing is always a sin so I’d better confess to liberating—well, stealing—the book too…’
‘Yes, tell me about the book,’ said the priest—and soon wished he hadn’t.
Chapter 4: TOP-SECRET TERMINOLGY
‘Classification ‘TOP SECRET,’ Copy 3 of 7.
Not to be removed from its appointed place.
PROJECT POSTERITY
Being a manual for senior staff and approved underlings attending his Imperial Majesty in the high matter of perpetuating his line.
NOTE AND AIDE MEMOIR!
Inconceivable as it may seem, the noble nature and vital patriotic import of Project Posterity is not universally perceived or shared. Vile reactionary elements even within our beloved nation, let alone the serried ranks of the enemy ranged against us, may be relied upon to condemn, perhaps even seek to thwart, this great undertaking and cause.
Therefore it is imperative that our work be shrouded in the deepest reticence, that the severest punishments be attached to any betrayal of the slightest whisper of our methods, our purpose and etc. etc.
Accordingly, caution in use of language shall be employed, even amongst ourselves. The following substitute terms have been approved for invariable everyday use in order to achieve the necessary habit of dissimulation.
His Imperial Majesty = The Farmer
The Palace complex = The Farm
The breeding area = The sty
Brood-wives (potential) = Fields
Brood-wives (serviced) = Ploughed fields
Brood-wives (impregnated) = Sewn fields
Brood-wives (pregnant) = Growing crop (followed by a numeric, 1-9, to indicate the month of gestation)
Offspring (live) = Harvest
Offspring (stillborn) = Spoilt crop
Offspring (non viable) = Chaff
Offspring (live + 1 day) = Sheaves
Offspring (live + 1 week) = Harvest
All offspring shall additionally be designated as ‘M’ (male), ‘F’ (female) or ‘N’ (indeterminate).
BE WARNED!
A number of former colleagues have perished in imaginative ways for breathing word of what should not be spoken of. And be aware that their last breath spoke of their agonies, and further believe that their death was neither quick nor easy! The traitors’ remains now rest unmarked, unhallowed, in the turds of the Lazarans to whom their carcasses were fed! The People’s Republic and the still more glorious Empire which shall follow will not remember them!
Yet though the penalties for transgression be terrible, so also are the rewards for virtue glittering. Friends! Frenchmen! We batter at the door barring the way into a life higher than human! We speak of ascension into eternal earthly glory! When successful we shall have seized the powers of creation from the withered hands of god!’
‘…Section 7. THE PROCREATIVE PROCESS
‘…after confirmation from the Cleanliness Inspection Supervisor that a sterile environment exists.
‘Then, if he is graciously willing, His Imperial Highness shall be assisted to ascend the scaffold and don the padded noose. The presiding scientist will have previously obtained consensus from both the designated hangmen (in separate interview) regarding the length of suspension and depth of drop before the lever is thrown. Should consensus not be readily reached the serving shall be suspended and third and fourth opinions obtained.
‘In the event of concurrence the hangmen shall jointly throw the lever. To protect the Imperial dignity at this point all present but they, the presiding scientist and the help-maids waiting below shall avert their eyes from the spectacle, on pain of death.
‘The presiding scientist shall then proceed with all speed to below the gallows and supervise the serving. He will en route give the command for the firing of the dynamos and on arrival administer to His Imperial Majesty the galvanic enema.
‘Prior and during the suspension said help-maids shall ensure that the recipient field be positioned in its harness at the right distance and height to receive his Highness when the spontaneous erection and emission of seed consequent upon hanging occurs.
‘The captain of said help-maids shall also ensure by her efforts the proper mounting and full penetration of the field and manually assist same and also secure emission if required. She shall likewise at the appropriate moment give the command for the bearing-up team to take His Imperial Majesty’s weight. In conjunction with the captain of the help-maids the presiding scientist will at the same time bring in the medical team to revive and treat His Majesty.
‘The Commander of the Guard attending each serving of the fields will then assume custody of His Imperial Majesty from the moment of his revival and conducting from the sty and return to the farm.
‘A NOTE AND ADMONITION! Notwithstanding any or all of the strictures above, the Commander of the Guard attending each serving of the fields shall be exempt from the prohibitions detailed, and shall be free to intervene upon any deviation from duty he perceives. He shall have absolute authority to apply immediate condign punishment upon any deemed to have behaved with insufficient respect or to have exposed His Imperial Majesty to unnecessary risk.